Not sure if any of you guys have Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) on your FDs being in the States but in Canada and I'm sure other countries it's been required by law and they came equiped with them. Does anyone have any ideas to disable the daytime running lights in the FD? I still want to use them as turn signals but I don't want them on all the time. The ones I'm talking about are the orange signal lights in the front of the car. Here in Canada they're always on and double as signals when turning. I'd really like to turn them off if anyone has any idea how to disable a relay without affecting the signaling that'd be great. Thanks a lot, -Joe

 

an FD?

 

yeah an FD - the lights are the front ones below the headlights (they're orange) and in the newer 96+ style bumper they're wired to the orange turn signal light to stay on all the time while in gear and flash when turning...

 

Could it possibly be something you could work around in the ECU? Maybe there's a "jumper" in there that could be changed to cut them off. (That is just a guess).

 

If "they're required by law", why do you want to disable them? And what are your intentions for doing so? Do they look that bad or what?

 

I haven't looked into this, but I would bet that the US and Canada models simply have different turn signal relays.In the wiring diagram I've got (from www.iluvmyrx7.com ) , it references a "flasher control unit (CPU #2)" , but I couldn't find a relay on the wiring diagram. Good luck to you.


-s-

 

Speedking - They're required by law on newer cars 93+ or something. I didn't mind the lights before but I just switched to the 96+ bumper lights and with the orange constantly on it looks like junk. I usually drive with lights on during the day anyway since they say it reduces accidents like 50% or something (don't quote me on that number). Also, it takes a few seconds at night for the lights to get the "message" that you're turning before they start flashing. Anyhow usually when you see DRLs in Canada they're "real" lights and not junky orange fog lights...I mean they're useless anyway.

scotty305 - thanks - I'm not good at wiring so any suggestions you guys have will really help. All I can think of is a relay. I will also check out those diagrams but I don't know how much I'll understand. Thanks a lot for checking that out though - I'll see if I can follow it where you did.

zmarko - I don't think it's part of the ECU because I've done a lot of work with it...although it's a good idea and I'll check it out regardless

 

In my '95 FSM, Page Z-56, section E-2:

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT (DRL) CONTROL MODULE (IN CPU NO. 2)


It seems there's a module INSIDE CPU#2, which is located under the driver-side kick-panel.

Maybe you can open CPU#2 up and disconnect it? There's a connector with designated wire colors in the FSM so, hopefully it isn't soldered on.

 

Hmmm that's interesting too? What I did find out so far though is that there is specific differences between the Canadian and US models for a section of the FSM. I downloaded it off of iluvmyrxy.com and printed the pages off. One section is called CN Turn and Hazard warning lights and the next section is called US Turn and Hazard warning lights. What I'm doing is printing them both off to compare them - I'm sure I can pinpoint the differences from that...and I think the difference is the DRLs. Although it's weird that there's a CPU like you mentioned - maybe that's the module that determines if the person's turning to turn off the DRLs and use the light as a signal and when they're done with the signal to put the DRLs back on...

 

I checked out those wiring diagrams. I figured out the wiring differences and I'll post them in the morning.

InsaneGideon - sorry I didn't really understand you before but you are right. After checking out the CN vs. US differences, the CN model has a DRL computer it seems and the wiring is very simple. I figured out the wiring to bypass it, now I'll just have to see whether I need to solder or not :S Thanks for the information though, definitely helpful...and thanks everyone else for your posts.

 

I saw the CN & US diagrams in the FSM too. Everything was remarked as "Inside CPU#2", even though it looks like a difference in actual harness wiring. Whether the wiring change actually is inside CPU#2 or not, I can't tell for sure. Good luck.